Motherhood PTSD

Hello.  And welcome back to our (semi-) regularly scheduled programming.  I have been most slack in my blogging as several of you have noted.  Thanks, Mom!  Thanks also to K~, E~, and D~.  Your continual nagging support is much appreciated.  I actually had sat down to blog a number of times over the last several months, but never got to finish.  Interruptions?  Here?  I so have five post drafts lurking about backstage.  They aren’t timely anymore, but I’m sure I’ll get around to posting them.  Eventually. 

So, on to the reason for today’s post.

I have been the lucky recipient of 24 hours of peace and quiet.  I can practically hear your shocked gasps and dumbfounded mumbling, “How is that possible???”  My personal superhero, aka my hubby, took TSMs 1-3 camping last night and sent TSM4 to stay at a friend’s house.  Yes, my friend J~ is a superhero too!  I am sitting here at hour 23 reflecting on my time alone and the things that I have noticed.

#1   I can get things done 3 – 4 times quicker without kids.

This is, of course, a no-brainer.  But it has reminded me that when my kids are “helping” me with a chore or project that they go slower because they are learning how to do it properly. (I hope.)  It gets frustrating sometimes.  But I have to remember that I am in the business of raising bright, happy, healthy, competent children – and not in the business of doing laundry, cleaning or beautifying the landscaping.  Let’s face it, if I were doing those things as a business the paycheck would be better.

#2   I hear voices.

In the same way I can sometimes hear my mother’s voice as I’m trying to make a decision, I hear my kids when they’re not here.  Scary, isn’t it?  It’s kind of like the mommy version of post-traumatic stress disorder.  I was laying in bed this morning thinking about what I wanted to do today, and I swear I heard my kids yelling.  Now before you think about getting me sized for a straight-jacket let me say that the reason for the 24 hr. leave was because I was getting overwhelmed by my kids’ constant chatter, questions and bickering.  It was just too much noise.  So how did my brain choose to relax?  By creating similar noise.  Bizarre.

#3   Getting away (or sending them away) occasionally is good, because it gives us time to miss and appreciate our loved ones.

At the end of my 24 hours of peace and quiet, I amstarting to miss my hubby and kids.  They will be home in about an hour and I am happy to see them, loudness and all.

#4   Being married to a superhero and having superhero friends is good.  Very, very good!

Having good friends in life is as important a need as food, clothing and shelter.  Family and social networks, the truly supportive kind, are what keep society (and SAHMs) from flying apart.  If you are the kind of friend who would watch someone’s kids just because, and not just in an emergency, pat yourself on the back.  You are a superhero too!

~ by quiregirl on April 25, 2009.